Clinical officers during a past strike on April 30, 2025. /DOUGLAS OKIDDY
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice.
The Union has warned that its members will withdraw their labour from July 20 unless the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors and all 47 county governments resolve a raft of longstanding labour disputes.
In a notice addressed to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, Council of Governors chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi, Health Committee chairperson Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and Council of Governors chief executive Mary Mwiti, the union said the industrial action will begin at midnight on Monday, July 20.
The notice, signed by KUCO Secretary General and CEO George Gibore, said the strike had been called following what the union described as the government's failure to resolve issues contained in the Joint Health Sector Unions' demand notice issued on June 17 and to implement commitments contained in the Return-to-Work Formula signed on January 28.
"We, the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), hereby issue this Fourteen (14) Days' Strike Notice pursuant to Article 41 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, Sections 62, 73, 76, 77 and 78 of the Labour Relations Act, 2007, the applicable Recognition Agreements, the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and the Return-to-Work Formula dated 28th January 2026," the notice states.
According to the union, one of its key grievances is the failure to absorb Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Global Fund health workers into permanent and pensionable employment, which it says has left the affected employees in insecure and discriminatory contractual arrangements.
The union also wants the government to immediately pay outstanding service gratuity owed to eligible UHC employees who have served on contract for more than six years and Global Fund workers who have completed at least 24 months of contractual service.
KUCO further accused employers of failing to place newly recruited clinical officers in the correct entry grade of Job Group J, saying some counties continue to appoint officers under the abolished Job Group H despite career guidelines approved by the Public Service Commission in May 2024.
The union also cited failure to implement provisions of the January 28 Return-to-Work Formula, including implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and payment of the agreed Health Risk Allowance.
It further faulted most county governments for failing to sign the negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement more than five months after they were invited to append their signatures.
As part of its demands, KUCO is seeking the immediate absorption of eligible UHC and Global Fund workers into permanent and pensionable terms; payment of all outstanding gratuity; placement of clinical officers in Job Group J together with the implementation of the 2024 career guidelines; and immediate signing and implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement by all county governments that are yet to do so.
The union said failure to address the disputes violates the Labour Relations Act, the Employment Act, the negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement and the January 28 Return-to-Work Formula.
"Take notice that unless the above disputes are fully resolved within fourteen (14) days from the date of service of this notice, all clinical officers shall commence a nationwide protected strike effective 12.00 midnight on Monday, 20th July 2026," the notice reads.
KUCO, however, said it remains available for negotiations throughout the notice period, saying it is committed to constructive engagement, conciliation and meaningful social dialogue aimed at resolving the dispute before the strike begins.
